Jori Chisholm has launched the spring edition of his ‘World Online’ competitions for pipers and drummers. To enter the band/ duet contest click here. To enter the solo contest click here.
Here’s how the online competitions work:
• Register by March 8, 2022
• Video entries by March 23
• Judges watch videos and write comments for every performance
• Results and winning performances posted online March 30
Prolific composer Niall Matheson has written a new tune in honour of respected surgeon and piobaireachd expert Norman Matheson who died last month.
Niall writes: ‘I hope everyone is getting ready for a new piping season. In the current lull I took it upon myself to compose a piobaireachd for Norman.
‘This man did so much for piping and of course piobaireachd in particular. I had the privilege of playing in front of him many, many times.
‘He was such a lovely, unassuming man, always kind with his guidance or criticism. I was brought up on the two Bob’s tapes from Dr MacKay, Laggan and John MacDougall, so I really like what he did with his recordings in the ‘Masters of Piobaireachd’ series.’
Lament-for-Norman-Matheson-MBE-DRAFT-29-1-22Listen to Niall playing the first part of the tune:
The Fyrish Collection, a digital pipe music book by Niall Matheson
This is a new digital, repeat digital, book by double Gold Medallist Niall Matheson. It has more than 50 tunes covering every genre of pipe music from ceòl mòr to jigs and reels. The composer’s works have already met with considerable acclaim. They are steeped in Highland character and lore, truly traditional but also modern. The book takes its name from Fyrish, a small hill monument behind Aln…
Even after a nearly thirty year hiatus from piping, bands and piobaireachd, I enjoyed listening to Niall’s playing of the sample of his new tune honouring his mentor Norman Matheson MBE very much !